THOUSANDS of people celebrated all that’s good about wood at an annual wood fair last weekend.

More than 100 stalls, exhibitors and demonstrations were on show at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair, in its fourth year, at Birtley House, Bramley.

There were stands offering advice on wood fuel and woodland management and craft stalls. Children were entertained with rope climbing, pond dipping, zip wires and beastie hunts while adults enjoyed archery, air rifles and chainsaw demonstrations.

Simon Whalley, chairman of Birtley House, said: “So many people said that it was different to the usual county fair and its simple focus on wood and woodland really kept their interest with so many new things to discover and do.

“Everyone seemed to appreciate the sense of the place.

“The identity with the Surrey Hills was strongly reflected in the presence of so many local stand holders but also the peaceful beauty of the surroundings and the simple warmth of the welcome made everyone feel at home. ‘A special event in a special place’ was the comment that summed it up for me.”

Surrey Hills Enterprises, set up in 2012 to promote rural businesses and development of the rural economy, helped to organise the event in conjunction with Birtley House.

Ken Bare, event organiser and director of Surrey Hills Enterprises, said: “After four years, we really are on the map now as the wood fair that local people want to go to.

“Being a Surrey Hills event, it is brilliant that we are able to attract such a wide range of exhibitors, nearly all from the local area, and put on an event which is not only getting bigger each year but is earning such positive comments from the public.

“My target now is to get my team working on next years event which we intend to be even better – the premier wood fair which is fun for all the family.”

Surrey Hills is a nationally protected landscape, designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty in 1958, and has around 40% woodland cover – making Surrey the most wooded county in England.